PAGE: 169
This section was on the benefits of being a supportive driver. The implications are obviously seen by simply looking at the upside of being a supportive driver. The main point of this page is that being a supportive driver is beneficial to others as well as yourself. One of the sub points is that we tend to assume we know what others are doing, when in actuality, we do not. They give an example of a person being tailgated; he/she automatically assumes that the driver wants them to speed up. This is a false assumption. Another sub-point is that we must build more latitude into our emotional boundaries. I agree with this. People tend to be too narrow-minded. This contributes to the disrespect of society, and everyone’s egocentrism. By changing our latitude, we do numerous things: contain road rage, reduce stress, boosts immune system, fostering of community spirit, protects emotional or physical spirit, and protects financial liability. These are a lot of things to gain by simply being more latitude.
PAGE: 171
This page is on the
motorist-to-motorist communication. The
main point of this page is to recognize that communication, though incredibly
minimal and difficult, is an important and crucial necessity on the roads. We need to be in touch with other people
even though we are simply confined to our own cars. The sub-points are listed in a group of signals that all drivers
should know.
APOLOGY: giving the casual peace sign with two
fingers.
SLOW
DOWN DANGER AHEAD: giving the hand gesture to simmer down.
LANE
COURTESY: simple turn signal with a
head turn to gesture your turn.
PULL
OVER FOR PROBLEM: point to problem, and
then give the thumbs down.
LIGHT
PROBLEM: opening and closing hand to
signal flashing.
NEED
HELP: make the T sign with your arms.
I
UNDERSTAND/THANK YOU: simple thumbs up
or a kind wave.
These things are important for
everyone to know. I have to admit that
I did not know all of the signals. But
now I do know them, and I am sure to keep them in my mind for future applications. This is a simple way to help keep rage of
the roads.
PAGE: 178
This page presents an exercise to
perform random acts of kindness for drivers.
The main point of this page is to let drivers know that being nice is
good. It helps to keep people calm,
decrease the probability of road rage occurring, and it displays a behavior
that should be the norm. The sub points
include a bunch of examples that portray simple acts of kindness. One of these I have found really intriguing
was the one about a man figuring out his wrong doing and waving after
realizing. I found this interesting
because I slowly see this behavior starting to wither away. In our culture of respect, we learn that it
is okay to do things wrong, but we tend not to apologize for them. This is false thinking. But when we do get apologies or give
apologies, it feels nice. Don’t you
think we should do it all the time.
REFERENCE: Dr. James, Leon & Dr. Nahl, Diane. Road Rage and Aggressive Driving:
Steering Clear of Highway Warfare.
Pp. 168-189, 2000 Prometheus Books New York.